Belize's Snorkel Season: When To Go

Belize is a snorkeller's paradise, with its extensive barrier reef located just off its coast. The country's tropical climate means that it's possible to snorkel all year round, but the dry season from November to May is generally considered the best time to visit. This is when you can expect clear skies, sunshine, and pleasant temperatures.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the second-largest in the world, and it's home to hundreds of small islands and an abundance of marine life. The most popular place for snorkelling is the little town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, where the reef is very close by and the underwater visibility is excellent.

Other top spots for snorkelling in Belize include the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Turneffe Reef Atoll, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, and Glover's Reef Atoll. These locations offer the chance to see a variety of marine life, including nurse sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and colourful coral formations.

Best time to snorkel in Belize

Belize is a snorkeller's paradise. With the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—the second-largest barrier reef in the world—bordering its coastline, the country offers a plethora of snorkelling spots, from shallow coral gardens to open ocean adventures. The best time to visit Belize for snorkelling depends on various factors, including weather conditions, marine life activity, and tourism patterns.

Weather Conditions

Belize has a tropical climate, with consistent warmth and humidity throughout the year. The dry season, from November to May, is generally considered the best time to visit Belize, especially for snorkelling. During this period, you can expect clear skies, sunshine, and pleasant temperatures. February, March, and April are the driest months, making them ideal for snorkelling excursions. However, it's important to note that tourism spikes during this period, especially during Holy Week and Easter, so you may want to avoid those dates to escape the crowds.

Marine Life Activity

If you're keen on spotting specific marine species, timing your visit accordingly can increase your chances. Whale sharks, the largest fish in the world, congregate in Belize during the spring months, particularly in April and May. Manatee season typically occurs during the wet season, from June to September. Sea turtles can be observed from March to September, and groupers are most active during their mating season in October and November.

Tourism Patterns

To avoid peak tourism and take advantage of lower prices, consider visiting Belize during the wet season, which runs from June to November. While rainfall is common during this period, it rarely pours all day, and you can still enjoy plenty of sunshine. However, the wet season also brings the risk of hurricanes, so it's essential to monitor weather conditions before planning your trip.

Monthly Breakdown

• December to January: The dry season begins, and the weather is generally cool, with temperatures rarely exceeding 80°F (26°C). This period includes the holiday season, so expect higher tourism and prices.
• February to April: These are the driest months, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures. April and May tend to be the hottest months in Belize. While rain is possible, it is usually brief and followed by sunshine.
• May: The wet season starts, and temperatures begin to rise. This month marks the transition period before the rainy season, and tourism crowds tend to thin out.
• June to September: The rainy season is in full swing, and you can expect frequent rainfall and higher humidity. This is also the manatee season, offering opportunities to spot these gentle giants.
• October: The rainy season continues, and marine life such as groupers become more active during their mating season.
• November: The rainy season starts to ease, and prices may begin to rise as the holiday season approaches. Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19 is a fantastic cultural event to experience.

In summary, the best time to snorkel in Belize is during the dry season, from December to May, especially in the driest months of February, March, and April. However, if you're eager to spot whale sharks, April and May are ideal. To avoid peak tourism and take advantage of lower prices, consider visiting during the wet season, keeping an eye on the weather and hurricane forecasts.

Belize's snorkel spots

Belize is a snorkelling paradise, with the world's second-largest barrier reef straddling its coast. The best time to snorkel in Belize is during the dry season, from December to May, although the country offers year-round opportunities for aquatic adventures.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most popular and accessible places to snorkel in Belize. Located just 6km from Ambergris Caye, it can be easily reached on day trips from San Pedro, Caye Caulker, and Belize City. The reserve includes four main sections: the Hol Chan Cut, the Seagrass Beds, the Mangroves, and Shark Ray Alley. Shark Ray Alley is a must-visit, where you can swim alongside docile nurse sharks and southern stingrays. The Hol Chan Cut offers the chance to view healthy elkhorn coral, moray eels, sea turtles, and colourful fish.

Mexico Rocks and Tres Cocos

Mexico Rocks and Tres Cocos are located between the Belize Barrier Reef and Ambergris Caye, offering calm, shallow waters suitable for both beginners and advanced snorkelers. A short boat ride from San Pedro will take you to these sites, where you can explore spectacular corals and diverse sea life, including brain coral, gorgonians, rays, hawksbill turtles, spiny lobsters, eels, and tropical fish.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Lighthouse Reef Atoll is one of the most remote atolls in Belize, located about 55 miles from the mainland. It is home to the famous Great Blue Hole, a circular sinkhole that plunges to a depth of around 410 feet. While the Blue Hole is primarily a dive site, snorkelers can still enjoy the awe-inspiring views. Half Moon Caye, on the southeast edge of the Lighthouse Reef, offers a variety of snorkelling spots with shallow waters suitable for all skill levels. Long Caye, also known as 'The Aquarium', is better suited for experienced snorkelers due to ocean currents but offers incredible underwater visibility and an abundance of marine life.

Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve

Gladden Spit is the place to go if you want to snorkel with whale sharks. These gentle giants migrate through the area between March and June, and planning your trip around the full moon increases your chances of spotting them. Tours to Gladden Spit depart from the town of Placencia on the mainland in southern Belize.

Glover's Reef Atoll

Glover's Reef Atoll, part of the Belize Barrier Reef, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. This remote atoll features crystal clear waters and a sheltered, shallow lagoon with over 700 patch reefs to explore. It is known for its diversity of coral and is an excellent site for beginners.

Turneffe Reef Atoll

Turneffe Reef Atoll is the largest of the three atolls in Belize's Barrier Reef and the most northerly, making it a full-day trip from Caye Caulker. Established as a marine reserve in 2012, it is comprised of hundreds of small mangrove islets and is a great place to spot turtles. It is also famous for its primary dive site, The Elbow, which features a 30-metre drop-off.

Best snorkel spots in Belize

Belize is a snorkeller's paradise, with some of the best snorkelling in the world. The country is home to the world's second-largest barrier reef, which provides unrivalled opportunities to explore an abundance of coral and tropical fish. With its clear turquoise waters, hundreds of cayes (small islands) and three atolls, Belize offers exceptional snorkelling adventures.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most popular and accessible places to snorkel in Belize. Located just 6km from Ambergris Caye, it is teeming with marine life and offers something for all levels of snorkelers. The reserve is divided into four zones, each with its own unique characteristics. Shark Ray Alley, part of the reserve, is a great spot to see southern stingrays and nurse sharks up close. The reserve can be easily accessed on day trips from San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Belize City.

Mexico Rocks and Tres Cocos

Mexico Rocks and Tres Cocos is another beautiful snorkelling spot located between the Belize Barrier Reef and Ambergris Caye. It is known for its large brain corals and elkhorn coral, as well as its abundance of marine life, including conch, banded shrimp, arrow crabs, flounder, stingrays, and tropical fish. The shallow waters, ranging from four feet to twelve feet deep, make it suitable for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. Mexico Rocks and Tres Cocos can be accessed by a short boat ride from San Pedro.

Lighthouse Reef Atoll

Lighthouse Reef Atoll is the furthest offshore of all Belize's atolls and is home to more than 200 species of fish, six cayes, and abundant coral reefs. It is a great location for both beginner and experienced snorkelers, with plenty of shallow waters to explore. The atoll is also home to the famous Great Blue Hole, a massive circular sinkhole that is a bucket list item for many visitors. Half Moon Caye, located on the southeast edge of the Lighthouse Reef, is another excellent destination with a variety of snorkelling spots suitable for all skill levels.

Turneffe Reef Atoll

Turneffe Reef Atoll is the largest of the three atolls in Belize's Barrier Reef and the most northerly, making it a full-day trip from Caye Caulker. Established as a marine reserve in 2012, it is comprised of hundreds of small mangrove islets and is a great place to spot turtles and lionfish. The Elbow, its primary dive site, features a 30-metre drop-off into the deep blue waters below.

Glover's Reef Atoll

Glover's Reef Atoll, the third atoll in Belize's Barrier Reef, is located in the south of the country. Named after a pair of pirate brothers, this atoll is part of the World Heritage area and is surrounded by sheer drop-offs. It is most famous for its whale shark population, which can be easily spotted between March and June. With its shallow depths and diverse coral, it is an ideal location for beginners.

Tobacco Caye

Tobacco Caye is a tiny island located within the South Water Caye Marine Reserve in the middle of the Belize Barrier Reef. With a year-round population of just 30 people, it is an ideal place to relax and enjoy world-class snorkelling just off the beach. Tobacco Caye can be accessed by a 30-minute boat ride from Dangriga on the mainland.

Best time to visit Belize

Belize is a snorkelling paradise, with the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef—the second-largest barrier reef in the world—forming the backdrop to an array of colourful marine life. With a tropical climate, snorkelling is possible all year round, but there are certain times when conditions are at their best.

Dry season

The dry season in Belize is from November or December to May, and this is generally the best time to visit and snorkel. The driest months are February, March and April, which also tend to be the coolest, with temperatures around 79°F.

Rainy season

The rainy season is from June to November, with the risk of hurricanes in September and October. The rainy season sees temperatures rise above 86°F/30°C. While the rainy season can make outings tricky, it is still possible to snorkel during this period.

Best time for snorkelling

The best time for snorkelling in Belize is from April to June, when the water visibility is at its clearest. Whale sharks can be spotted between March and June, while manatee season is typically during the rainy season, from June to September.

Best time for diving

Diving is a year-round activity in Belize, but the best time to visit for scuba diving is also from April to June when visibility is at its best.

Best time for wildlife

The lush rainforests of Belize are home to an array of wildlife all year round, but the best time for birdwatching is between January and April, when migratory birds join the local and regional avian population.

Best time to avoid the crowds

To avoid the crowds, it is best to skip Holy Week and Easter, when there is a spike in tourism. The crowds tend to thin out after Easter, making April and May good months to visit for a quieter vacation.

Belize's Barrier Reef

The Belize Barrier Reef boasts a diverse array of flora and fauna, with 70 hard coral species, 36 soft coral species, and hundreds of invertebrate species. It is also home to various marine life, including sea turtles, rays, eels, nurse sharks, goliath groupers, dolphins, and manatees. The reef is a critical habitat for threatened species such as marine turtles, manatees, and the American marine crocodile.

The reef is divided into seven protected areas, including Bacalar Chico National Park, Blue Hole Natural Monument, and Half Moon Caye Natural Monument. These areas showcase the evolutionary history of reef development and offer diverse scuba diving opportunities, such as exploring walls, pinnacles, and reef flats.

While the reef can be enjoyed year-round due to the warm climate, the best time to visit for snorkelling and scuba diving is from April to June when visibility is at its clearest. The dry season, from December to May, is also a popular time to visit, with pleasant weather and minimal rainfall. However, it is important to note that tourism spikes during this period, especially during the Holy Week and Easter.

Frequently asked questions